Jonathan To Attend Nuclear Security Summit In Netherlands

President Goodluck Jonathan will join other world leaders at the 2014 global Nuclear Security Summit which opens at The Hague in Holland on Monday.

This is contained in a statement issued by the President’s Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja on Wednesday.

It said Jonathan would join other leaders, including U.S. President Barrack Obama, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany at the summit.

It stated that Jonathan’s visit to Holland for the summit would be the final leg of a six-day working tour which would also take him to Namibia and Italy.

According to the statement, the president, who will be accompanied by his wife, Patience will leave Abuja for Windhoek early on Thursday for a two-day state visit to Namibia.

It said that the president while in Windhoek would participate in a business forum aimed at boosting trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Namibia.

“President Jonathan will also attend the celebration of Namibia’s 24th Independence Anniversary as a special guest of honour on Friday before departing for Rome and the Vatican for talks on Saturday, with Pope Francis and Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.’’

The statement said that the president would leave Italy for the Netherlands after conferring with the Pope.

“He is scheduled to lead a high-powered Nigerian delegation to talks on Sunday with the Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Mark Rutte and senior officials of the Dutch government before the opening of the Nuclear Security Summit on Monday.

“President Jonathan will later that day meet with the Chief Executive Officer and other high-ranking officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s largest joint venture partners, Shell Petroleum International, which has its headquarters in the Netherlands,’’ it further stated.

It said the president would also witness the signing of an investment agreement between Nigeria and Dutch textile giants, Vlisco and meet with Nigerians living in the Netherlands during his visit.

It stated that the president would be accompanied by the Minister of Defence, retired Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali.

The other are: Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr Olusegun Aganga; Minister of Communications and ICT, Mrs Omobola Johnson; and other senior government officials.

It said that Jonathan would leave the Netherlands for Abuja at the conclusion of the Nuclear Security Summit on Tuesday.